Wouldn't Leave

Album: Ye (2018)
Charted: 24
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • In May 2018, Kanye West engaged in controversial TMZ live interview in which he revealed he was addicted to opioids and suggested that African-Americans simply chose to be imprisoned for centuries by white slavemasters. Much of Ye's content was sparked by the backlash he received for his comments. In the case of this song the criticism came from Kanye's own home.
  • In the first verse West reveals that wife Kim Kardashian called him "screaming" over his "slavery was a choice" comments.

    My wife callin', screamin', say we 'bout to lose it all
    Had to calm her down 'cause she couldn't breathe
    Told her she could leave me now, but she wouldn't leave


    During the Ye listening party in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, West quipped regarding Kim's reaction, "This is what they mean for better or for worse huh?"
  • Throughout the song, West salutes his wife for not leaving him despite his past errors such as a Sway in the morning rant and his TMZ Live shenanigans. He also shouts out other women who stick by their man through thick and thin, like Kim has done with him.
  • "Wouldn't Leave" features uncredited vocals by PartyNextDoor (on the chorus), Jeremih (the bridge) and Ty Dolla Sign (the outro).
  • The song contains sanctified shout outs sampled from "Baptizing Scene", written and performed by Reverend W.A. Donaldson (from Alan Lomax's 1960 compilation Sounds of the South). The same track was previously sampled by Kanye on "Niggas in Paris" from his 2011 collaboration album with Jay-Z, Watch the Throne.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

We Will Rock You (To Sleep): Pop Stars Who Recorded Kids' Albums

We Will Rock You (To Sleep): Pop Stars Who Recorded Kids' AlbumsSong Writing

With the rise of Kindie rock, more musicians are embracing their inner child with tunes for tots - here, we look at pop stars who recorded kids' albums.

Ed Roland of Collective Soul

Ed Roland of Collective SoulSongwriter Interviews

The stories behind "Shine," "December," "The World I Know" and other Collective Soul hits.

Joe Ely

Joe ElySongwriter Interviews

The renown Texas songwriter has been at it for 40 years, with tales to tell about The Flatlanders and The Clash - that's Joe's Tex-Mex on "Should I Stay or Should I Go?"

The Real Nick Drake

The Real Nick DrakeSong Writing

The head of Drake's estate shares his insights on the late folk singer's life and music.

Timothy B. Schmit of the Eagles

Timothy B. Schmit of the EaglesSongwriter Interviews

Did this Eagle come up with the term "Parrothead"? And what is it like playing "Hotel California" for the gazillionth time?

Reverend Horton Heat

Reverend Horton HeatSongwriter Interviews

The Reverend rants on psychobilly and the egghead academics he bashes in one of his more popular songs.